Pages

Sunday, 11 March 2012

Hyundai has released a series of teaser photos of the upcoming Santa Fe mid-sized SUV, ahead of its world debut at the New York International Motor Show in April.

The Santa Fe's styling debuts an evolution of the “Fluidic Sculpture” theme, called “Storm Edge”. The third-generation Santa Fe features svelte and refined lines, which are in harmony with bold and large surfaces, giving a more aggressive look than its forerunner.

Seoul has remained very tight-lipped about powertrains. Rumours suggest a 2.0 litre GDi, 2.4 litre GDi and a range-topping 2.0T four-cylinder petrol engine with 274bhp (278PS/204kW) will be employed, alongside a 2.2 CRDi R-engine with 223bhp (226PS/166kW) and 500Nm (368lb-ft/51 kgf-m) will be offered. The former 2.0 GDi is expected to return 48mpg (5.9l/100km/40mpg U.S/17 km/l) in two-wheel-drive mode and a 3.5 litre V6 may also be offered. All engines will be mated to either manual, automatic, or dual-clutch transmissions and front and all-wheel-drive.

Whether a rumoured long-wheelbase model, with seven seats, will arrive to replace the Veracruz remains to be seen. The Santa Fe, codenamed DM, is likely to sport the 'ix45' moniker.

The newcomer will be available with 19” alloy wheels, BlueLink infotainment system, lane departure warning system, automatic parking, knee airbags, and LED lights.

The Santa Fe will be re-tuned for British roads before going on sale in Autumn, priced from around £24,000. The SUV has clocked over 2.65m sales across the globe since its launch in 2000, with 680,000 units sold in South Korea.